29 November 2000

Cocaine, ecstasy, cannabis, speed...

...if this sounds like your weekend shopping list you might have trouble lasting the pace during a ski season.

The closest most season workers will come to drugs during a winter will be the odd spliff, but harder drugs are becoming more common.

This month's Fall Line magazine quotes Jean-Pierre Colle, an Alpine policeman, claiming he knows of 'a dozen season workers addicted to cocaine or heroin'.

The article suggests that in recent years ski resorts have become popular spots for drug dealers, who blend in easily 'with their fast cars and jobless existence'. Apparently French apartments are being used for stocking pills for sale in nearby cities such as Lyon or St Etienne.

How much drug consumption is there in resort?

Certainly cannabis is common. Moroccan black brought up from Marseille means most French resorts have a regular supply chain. Harder drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy are rare. They may be brought out by friends coming on holiday, for a 'special occasion' such as a Freeride event, but are rarely used by tour operator workers.

Of course, there are some Class A addicts, as M Colle claims, usually local hotel, hire shop and bar staff. There is occasionally a high profile 'charlie-head' working for a tour operator. These tend to be a well-paid bar or resort manager, who typically end up leaving in February for 'personal reasons'.

Addicted to powder?

As in 'real life' most drugs are available somewhere in almost all resorts. In fact, in France they're easier to come across than Red Bull, the menacing drink that 'gives you wings' and which is still forbidden by the French authorities.

Despite the temptation of the forbidden, most resort workers are happy to get their adrenalin from the natural powder on the mountain. Be warned though, this is a powerful drug that can be very addictive!!!

Note for those lacking common-sense:

While 'socially acceptable' drugs, such as alcohol and nicotene, could be argued to be less damaging to society than some of the drugs mentioned here, the fact is that they are not illegal.

If you are found using illegal substances by your employer you will usually be instantly dismissed. If you are found by the police the outcome could be more serious. Click here for a genuine story from Verbier that led to a 50000SFR fine.

You have been warned.